By ERIK ECKHOLMPublished: November 6, 2011 The white-bearded preacher, Michael Pearl, who delivered his sermon in stained work pants, and his wife, Debi, mixed warmly with the families drawn to their evangelical ministry, including some of their own grandchildren.
The pastoral mood in the hills of Tennessee offered a stark contrast to
the storm raging around the country over the Pearls’ teachings on child
discipline, which advocate systematic use of “the rod” to teach toddlers
to submit to authority. The methods, seen as common sense by some
grateful parents and as horrific by others, are modeled, Mr. Pearl is
fond of saying, on “the same principles the Amish use to train their
stubborn mules.” If you would like to read more please click HERE to go to the New York Times.